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Christmas is a magical time for children, with the decorations and the gifts making it unlike any other time of the year.

As wonderful as the holiday season can be, it can also be dangerous for young, curious children. As proof, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that in 2014 there were 183,800 toy-related injuries and 11 deaths.

The Ross County Health District’s Help Me Grow program would like to offer a few tips for keeping the season safe for your children and your family.

First of all, let’s talk about decorations. Young children should always be supervised around electronic lights, both to avoid the risk of electrocution and the potential for fire. Speaking of fire, lit candles should be up out of a child’s reach, and the flame should be extinguished before leaving the home or going to bed at night.

Then there are the gifts Santa brings.

Before buying toys check for recalls. There are a number of goodwebsites. If a toy is being recalled, then there’s a safety issue.

Also, be careful buying toys (and other items) online. It can be sometimes be difficult to tell where they were made, and if they might contain a hazardous material like lead in the paint or the actual product itself.

Always make sure toys and gifts are age appropriate. There are numerous websites with tips and suggestions, and we’ve added a couple to our website at rosscountyhealth.com.

Almost all toys have parts and pieces, and some have potentially sharp edges, cords, and strings. Kids are bound to find ways to get choked or hurt. Parents should carefully look over toys before giving them to a child. After a child begins to use a toy, parents should check them periodically to ensure that they aren’t falling apart.

Small items that pose a choking hazard are probably the most dangerous for young children. Plastic parts that make up eyes and noses, small button batteries, balls or plastic pieces for puzzles or games are all potential choking hazards. And on Christmas morning add to that list plastic wrapping from opened gifts.

If a child gets a bike, skateboard, or other riding toy from Santa, he should bring them a helmet too.

Christmas and the holiday season should be a fun, safe time of the year, and parental supervision is one way to make sure that it is.

So to recap: make sure toys are age appropriate; check and recheck for small parts and pieces; know what you’re buying; watch kids around lights, decorations, and open flame; and supervise, supervise, supervise!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all from Help Me Grow and the Ross County Health District.

Amie Unger is the coordinator of the Ross County Health District’s Help Me Grow program.